I just realised I didn’t mention it earlier on my site! This episode is now my highest-rating in terms of downloads, even after one day.
Download episode #16 featuring Taslima Nasrin’s speech from the Global Atheist Convention. There’s also iTunes, mp3 and Zune!
This episode features one of the most engaging speakers from The Rise Of Atheism, 2010 Global Atheist Convention. When I started researching all the presenters that I was going to introduce, I knew that:
a) most people in the audience would have no idea who she was, and
b) they were going to be completely blown away by her story when they did hear her speak.
This is Taslima Nasrin that you’re going to hear. From my own perspective, it was incredibly daunting to be on a stage when there were bodyguards surrounding it, because of the threats to her life. You can hear for yourself at the end of this recording, how there was a solid minute and a half of applause for her presentation, called ‘On my Struggle for Secularism, Human Rights, Freedom of Expression and For Women’s Freedom’.
Taslima Nasrin is from Bangladesh, was raised as a Muslim and has long been targeted by Muslim extremists. In 1994, she was forced into exile from her native country after mass demonstrations demanded her death for blasphemy and the government charged her with ‘hurting religious feelings’. In 2007, after moving to the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal, Muslim protests forced Taslima out of India. She is able only to visit, and even that seems quite tentative. In an editorial comment on the riots, The Hindu newspaper strongly defended Taslima Nasrin and noted that ‘By violently protesting every instance of publication of her articles, the religious fundamentalists obviously want to force a ban, otherwise legally unsustainable, on her critical and creative works.’
Taslima Nasrin’s official site is at: http://taslimanasrin.com
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
It was a privilege to hear Taslima speak at the convention.
The highlight of the whole convention if you ask me. I had tears welling in my eyes listening to her story. Truly inspirational stuff.
It was a special speech and I agree it was the highlight for me as well. I don’t recall the media focusing on it though. Much easier to talk about Pope Nazi than delve into the issues Taslima touched on.
There was a brief mention in the Australian? I had a journalist give me her card, begging me to pass it onto Taslima. I did so, but I suspect she was too busy for an interview, so it didn’t happen. Other than that, there was the mention in the Radio National blog, which (as you can see by her comments on it) wasn’t accurate. So, I can kind of see why she isn’t too keen on the media representation. :/
YAY…. thanks for the podcast. Her speech was definitely a highlight, I enjoyed Philips better but only because he was that good. Taslima really deserved the standing ovation though…
I’ll see if I can get Phillips, if you like?
That would be awesome. I reheard Taslima’s talk though and I remember why the crowd went wild. Thanks for the podcast. I’ll be looking forward to Philip Adams ^_^
This is the best podcast I have listened too, and I ‘ve listened to heaps, I loved how she stands up for the oppressed in this world this is what humanity is all about, well done Taslima and thank you Kylie for making this availiable, great work.
Thank you!! Things delayed this week, but hope to be caught up with those final eps and back on track for next month.
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